Tek It to Dem: Images of the incarnate Word amidst the ordinary – Nicole Ashwood
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God . . . and became Flesh and dwelt among us. This Johannine picture, though far removed from the woolly, seemingly pastoral pictures we place on wreaths and read each Advent; is not always easily translated in the (post) modern realities of our 21st century daily lives. We hear stories of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Francis of Assisi, and the Poor Clares – and of other saints of blessed memory; but these persons are not always related to what we do in the here and now.
It is not always to walk the talk. After all, Christ’s encounters with the followers in John 9 indicate that sometimes, just sometimes, the pleasures of life do get in the way of following Jesus. And, in some instances, we find ourselves so bogged down by the IMpossibility and IMprobability of God calling ordinary persons such as ourselves that we fail to hear the call, despite knowing God’s voice.
For many, it is also the direction that our call takes which seems so out-of-the-box that we are convinced it could not be the call of Christ. Consider, for instance, a group of young adults courageously determining that they will be agents of transformation in a community in need of a new vision and mission in the aftermath of mass murders. As this was an inner-city community characterized by the stigma of violence and crime, it could not have been an easy decision. But they journeyed with the citizens and birthed a season of hope and healing for the community. One could identify their actions as crazy, way out, or outrageous. In short, their action was divinely driven. Or one could also pause to reflect on the motives of a woman minister who, out of concern for the prostitutes, visited bars and clubs to hear the ladies’ stories. She was thrown out of several bars, I am certain. But that did not deter her. Her patience won out and soon she was opening a safe space for abused women and prostitutes, ensuring that they were able to realize their dreams or find refuge as they had a need.
Neither of the aforementioned examples are the focus of this week’s reflection – but the essence of their actions could be heard in the stories of the three witnesses who dared to listen to Christ’s call – who dared to be a square peg in a round hole – who dared to obey Christ in contexts which were not always affirming to them as individuals. And yet Ayana, Collin, and Karen opted to go into the highways and byways to take the gospel to the nooks and crannies where persons needed to hear the gospel in new and different ways. ‘Tek it to dem’ is a Jamaican expression which speaks to the daring move to enter uncharted territory or to show off what one has in a competitive manner. In the context of this week’s articles, the writers reflect on their ministries which insist that they walk the talk in somewhat uncharted territory. The mission fields of these writers were not always barren or un-churched; but in several instances these three offered a different flavour of the gospel to a people who awaited a special Word from the Lord.
This week, we seek to reflect on the Word and its Incarnation – in the life and ministry of ordinary people – as a tool for proclamation, transformation and hope. We look for images of God at work through these ‘ordinary people’ in taking the Good News of salvation in the midst of their own quests for meaning and ministry. It is our prayer that you find your spirit answering God’s call to impact your own community or those on not so/distant shores as you reflect on the various ministries and paths on which God takes our guests. So, join us on this wonderful journey to life in fullness with Ayana, Collin, Karen and Simone.
It is hoped that these stories will help you to be drawn even closer to the Word and as the Word becomes en-fleshed in you, you will also become an agent of transformation and that you will accept the challenge to walk the talk wherever you go and in all you do.
Rev. Nicole Ashwood is on secondment from the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission. She considers herself a nurturing empowerer and seeks to promote equity and voice for persons on the margins.